Valve-operating means



J. BENTLEY VALVE OPERATING MEANS Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,866

Fi led June 27, 1927 32. 27 Juseph E12 Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES matte PATENT orrice. j

JOSEPH BENTLEY, or SIOUX LOCKOUT, new oivr'nnro, onrnnro, CANADA;essrenon OF ONE-HALF T EDWIN PIERson, or sroox LOCKOUT, new ONTARIO,CANADA.

VALVE-OPERATING MEANS.

Application filed June 27, 1927. Serial No 201,798.

. The present invention relates to valve operatmg mechanisms, and morespecifically to improved apparatus of this character for use inconnection with end train line steam valves of passenger train carheating systems.

With the existing types of end train line steam valves, considerabletrouble has been encountered by reason of the valves moving to'a closedposit-ion due to vibration while .the train is running,'and resulting inimproper functioning of the heating system forthe train. 7 V

7 It is therefor a primary object of this invention to provide animproved valve operating means for end train pipe valves embodyingfeatures whereby the valves will be positively locked in either an openor closed position against movement due to vibration while the train isin motion. I

r further object'of the invention resides in the provision of improvedvalve operating means of this character embodying keeper means and anoperating means so associated with the keeper means as to allow for thevalve to be operated either from the ground or from the vestibuleplatform of the car.

A further and important object of the invention is toprovide a novelself locking operating means for end train pipe valves which may bereadily associated with such types of valves as now in use after butslight alterations to the valves.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description,-taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification andin which drawing:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the valve operating mechanism as appliedto an end train pipe valve of a car heating system.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view of the apparatus and showing themanner in which the keeper means engages the valve for re-.

taining th-e valve in either an open or closed position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section on line 33 of Figure1 and showing the position of the elements of the operating means whenthe valve is in its open position.

' Figure 4: is a detail perspective view of the locking yoke for thekeeper means.

Figure 5 is a'view part in section and part in elevation of the valveand showing the manner in which the keeper means acts for retaining thevalve in either an open or closed position, the view'being one showingthe valveheld in its open position. i 7

Referring to the drawing in detailpan'd wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the The valve B isofthe throw type and em- 1 bodies a valve body 7 having .ports 8 and'9which are closed bymeans of a disc valve head 10 mounted for swingingmovement for about a one-quarter-turn upon a valve stem or rocker shaft11 mountedin the valve body 7 and projecting through the valvestuiiingbox 12. The shaft 11 extends transversely of the car A and. projectsfrom the face of the valve toward the side of the car as clearlyillustrated in Figure 1. This valve stem or rocker shaft 11 where itextends through the stuffing box 12'is preferably of cylindricalformation as at 14 in Figure 2 and extending from the cylindricalportion lt is a valve stem extension 15 which is preferablysquare incross section and-ofsmaller size thanthe portion l l-thus forming anoutwardly facing shoulder or abutment 16. The outer endof the squarestem extension 15 is threaded as at 17 for threaded reception of asuitable compression nut 18 having a suitable washer 19 arranged at theinner side thereof and movable along the square stem extension towardand away from the cylindrical portion 14: upon rotation of the nut 18.-Encircling the square stein portion 15 is a spiral expansion spring 20,the outer end of which engages the washer 19 and the inner end of whichis intended to act upon the inner end of the keeper means G for normallyurging its the same toward the face of the valve B. Suitably formed onthe face of the valve body 7 concentric with the axis of the shaft 11,are companion sets of lugs or projections 22 and 24, the diametricallyarranged set of lugs '22 serving for maintaining the valve in an openposition, and the diametric set of lugs 24 serving to retain the valvein its closed position. The only alteration which will be required tothe valve B is that of providing the companion sets of lugs 22 and 24 onthe face of the valve, andforming the rocker shaft 11 of slightlygreater length for providing the square valve stem extension formounting of the keeper means C.

Referring now to the keeper means C, the same embodiesan open framelike'yoke 25 having side arms 26 which are connect-ed at their innerends by the cross arm 27 and at their outer ends by the cross arm 28 ofless length than the arm 27 so that the side arms 26 extend inconverging relation from the inner arm 27 to the outer arm 28. Providedat the medial portion of each of the arms 27 and 28, and preferablyarranged in axial alignment, are square shaped openings 30 and 31respectively. The square opening 30 of the inner cross arm 27 isintended to slidably receive the square stem extension 15 with the crossarm movable to a position against the outwardly facing shoulder 16 ofthe stem extension, which shoulder limits movement 'of the yoke 25toward the stuffing box 12. -Provided adj acentthe terminal portions ofthe inner cross arm 27 and extending inward ly therefrom in parallelrelation to one anot-her'from the inner face of the arm, is a pair ofkeeper pins 32 which are adapted to co act with the sets of lugs 22 and24 for retaining'the valve head 10 either in an open or closed position.These pins 32 are of such length as to extend to the sides of the lugs22 and 24 when the inner cross arm 27 engages the shoulder 16 of thestem extension 15. The inner end of the spring acts upon the inner faceof the cross arm 27 for normally urging the arm against the shoulder 16.By observing Figure 2it will be seen that when the yoke is drawn to aposition as shown in dotted lines, hat'the inner end of the pins 32 willmove free of the lugs or 24 and allow for rotation of the rocker shaft11 upon rotary movement of the yoke by reason of the square stemextension 15 and square opening in the arm 27, and that upon release ofthe yoke that the spring 20 will move the yoke inwardly along the stemextension 15 so that the pins 32 again move to a position engaging thelugs 22 or 24. In Figure 5 it will be seen that the pins 32 are engagedbehind the lugs 22 in a manner preventing movement of the valve disc 10to a closed position due to vibration. That portion of the operatingmeans thus far specifically defined isall that will ordinarily berequired for the operation of end. train pipe valves as employed upondining cars, baggage cars, express cars and the like.

Referring now to the actuating means E, which will be associated withthe means 0 for use with those types of cars requiring a platformattachment for operation of the valve B, the same has been shown asembodying the ground operating means D and a platform operating means F.

The means D for operation of the valve B from the ground, consists of anextension rod 35 havinga handle 36 provided at its outer end and formedat its inner end with a squared portion. 37 for fitting in the squareopening provided in the outer cross arm 28 of the yoke A pin 38 extendsthrough the square portion 37 at the inner side of the arm 28, forpreventing withdrawal of the extension rod from the yoke and allowingfor outward movement of the-yoke when a pull is exerted on the red as bymeans of the handle 36. 'VVhen desiring to close the valve B as by themeans D, a pull is exerted on the extension rod 35 for moving the yoke25 out wardly against tension of the spring 20 until the pins 32 areclear of the lugs 22 and then by turning the rod 35 to its limit ofmovement in a left hand direction the pins 32 will move to a positionwhereby upon releasing the pull upon the red the spring 20 will move therod and yoke inwardly so that the pins engage the lugs 24 in'a manner asshown by the dotted lines in Figure 5. Rotary movement will be impartedto the yoke 25 by reason of the square rod portion 37 engaging in thesquare opening 31 of the yoke.

' Referring now to the platform operating means F for operation of thevalve B from the vestibule platform of the car, the same embodiesplatform operating handle 40 for opening and closing the valve, thehandle be ing adapted to extend vertically through an opening 41 in theplatform 5 and carry at its upper end'a suitable hand grip Pivotallyconnected at one end as by a suitable pivot pin 43 to the lower end ofthe handle 40, is an arcuate shaped crankarm 44 the lower end of whichhas connection with the exten-.

sion rod 35 in a manner whereby upon movement'of the arm 44 rotarymovement W]ll be imparted to the rod. This arm 44 mayhave connectionwith the roil 3a in any preferred manner and in the example shown therod is square in cross section for preventing rotation of the rod in thelower end of the crank arm. By observing Figure 3 it will be seen thatupon vertical movement of the oper ating handle 40 that a rotarymovement will be imparted through the rod 35 through the crank arm40. vI

The platform operating means F further includes an unlocking lever whichextends through a suitable opening 51 in the platform 5 and is pivotallymounted in a. suitable fill bracket 52 mounted upon the floor surface ofthe plat-form. This lever 50, at a point below the platform 5, is offsetas at 53 so as to bring the opening 54 formed at the lower end of thelever, in alignment with the extension rod 35. This offset portion 53 isnecessary for bringing the lower end of the lever 50 from under theplatform and into alignment with the axial center of the valve rockershaft 11.; The extension rod 35 is intended to pass through the opening54 and is provided with a cylindrical portion 55 at a point where itpasses through the opening 54, and this cylindrical portion 55 ispreferably of a diameter less than the diameter of the opening 54 forallowing rocking of the lever 50 without creating a binding action on.the extension rod. Extending through the rod at the outer side of theoffset lever portion, 53 is a stop pin 56 which is engaged by the offsetportion for out vard movement of the extension rod upon swinging of thelocking lever 50.

The lever 50 is preferably given a one-half twist at a point below theplatform 5 for allowing s'uflicient thickness of the metal for formingthe opening 54. By observing Figure 1 it will be seen that when thelower end of the lever 50 is swung in the direction of the arrow, thatthe extension rod 35 will be moved longitudinally away from the valve Band carry the yoke so that the pins 32 will move free of the lugs 22 or2t and allow for free rotation-of the rod and yoke upon verticalmovement of the handle 40.

In operating the valve C from the vestibule platform'5, the operatorfirst movesthe lever 50 in the direction for moving the extension rodlongitudinally away from the valve B and withdrawing the pins 32 fromengagement with the lug 22 or 2 1, and then moves the handle eitherupwardly or downwardly in accordance with the desired movement to heimparted to the valve, and after the handle 40 has been moved to itsfullest extent the lever is released for allowing the spring 20 to forcethe pins 32 into engagement with the proper lugs 22 or 24 for retainingthe valve in either its open or closed position. i From the foregoingdescription it will be apparent that a novel and efficient valveoperating means for end train pipe valves. has been provided embodying anovel keeper means whereby the valves will be positively held in eitheran open or closed position against movement due to vibration while thetrain is in motion, and also embodying a novel platform operating meanswhereby the valve. may be operated from the vestibule platform of thecar.

Changes in detail may be made to the specific form of the invention asherein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the following claims. i

I claim: 1 In a valve operatmg'means, the combination with a valveincluding a rotatable stem projecting from the'face of the valve body,of a yoke movablymounted on the stem for rotation thereof and having akeeper pin projecting from the inner end of the yoke for engagement withan abutment on the valve body, and spring means acting upon the yoke fornormally urging the same toward the valve body and the keeper pin to aposition for engagement with the abutment on the valve body.

2'. In a valve operating means, the comblH'ZLtiOII fWlt-h a'valveincluding a rotatable stem projecting from the face of the valve jectingfrom the face of the valve body, of akeeper means for maintaining thevalve 1n either an open'or closed position comprising an open frame likeyoke having a square opening provided at its inner end for slidablemounting of the yoke upon the square stem extension, keeperpins'projecting from the innor'end of the oke for en a ement withabutments on the valve body, and a coil spring encircling the stemextension and acting upon the inner end of the yoke for normally urgingthe same toward the valve body whereby upon rotation of the yoke thekeeper pins will move in the ment on the valve body;

4-; In a valve operatingmeans, the combination with avalve including avalve body having keeper lugs provided on the face thereof and arotatable stem projecting from the face of the valve body and includinga squared stem portion providing an outwardly facing shoulder, of keepermeans for maintaining the valve in an open or closed position comprisingan openframe like yoke including an inner cross arm provided with asquare opening for receiving the squared stein portion of the valvestem, keeper pins projecting from the inner end of the yoke forengagement with the keeper lugs of the valve body, and a coil springencircling the squared stem portion at the outer side of said yoke crossarm and acting thereupon for normally urging the yoke toward the valvebody into engagement with said outwardly facing shoulder on the valvestem. ;I

5. In an operating means for endtrain pipe valves, the combination witha valve inlilo path ofthe abuts r 'cluding a rotatable stem projectingfrom the face of the valvebody, of a keeper member slidably mounted onthe stem for rotation therewith and having engagement with an abutmenton the stem, spring means acting upon the keeper member for normallyurging the member toward the valve body into engagement with the.abutment on the stem, and an extension rod connected with the outer endof the keeper member for imparting rotary and longitudinal movement tothe keeper member.

I 6. In an operating means for end train pipecvalves, the combinationwith a valve including a rotatable stem projecting from the face of thevalve body, of a keeper member slidably mounted on the stem for rotationtherewith and having engagement with an abutment on the stem, springmeans acting upon the keeper member for normally urging the membertoward the valve body into engagement with the abutmenton the stem, anextension rod carried by the keeper member in axial alignment with thevalve stem for rotation with the keeper member, means for moving theextension rod longitudinally away from the valve against the tension ofsaid spring, and means for causing rotary movement tothe extension rodwhen so 1ongitudin ally moved.

7. In an'operating means for end train pipe valves, the combination witha valve including a rotatable stem projecting from the face of the valvebody, of a keeper member slidably mounted on the stem for rotationtherewith and having engagement with an abutment on the stem, springmeans acting upon the keeper member for normally urging the membertoward the valve body into engagement with the abutment on the stem, anextension rod connected with the keeper member for rotation therewith, apivotally mounted unlocking lever acting at one end upon the extensionrod for movement of the rod longitudinally in one direction for movementof the keeper member along the valve stem against the tension of saidspring, and an operating handle coupled withthe extension rod forrotation thereof when so. longitudinally moved away from the valve.

8. In an operating means for end train pipe valves, the combination'withavalve including a. rotatable stem projecting from the face of the valvebody, of a keeper member slidably mounted on the stem for rotationtherewith and having engagement with an abutment onthe stem, springmeans acting upon the keeper member for normally urging the membertoward the valve body into engagement with the abutment on the stem, anextension rod carried by the keeper membor for rotation therewith andextending in axial align-ment with the valve stem, an unlocking leverpivotally mounted above the extension rod and having its lower end engageable with the rod for movement of the rod longitudinally away fromsaid valve for outward movement of the keeper member, a crank armcoupled to the extension rod for rotary movement thereof upon swingingof the crank arm, and a handle connected with the crank arm for swingingmovement thereof when said extension rod is moved longitudinally by theunlocking lever.

9. In an operating means for end train pipe valves, the combination witha valve including a rotatable stem projecting from the face of the valve'body, of a keeper member slidably mounted on the stem for rotationtherewith and having engagement with an abutment on the stem, saidmember having a square, opening provided at its outer end in axialalignment with the valve stem, spring means acting upon the keepermember for normally urging the membertoward thearm connected with theextension rod for ro- Hm tation thereof upon swinging movement of thecrank arm, and a vertically extending op erating handle connected withthe crank arm for swinging movement thereof upon outward longitudinalmovement of the red by 105 said locking member.

JOSEPH BENTLEY.

